Rowan describes this yarn as “a melange of toussah silk and linen”. It contains 52% silk and 48% linen.

Silk

Silk, as we know, is one of the strongest natural fibres but loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. Its elasticity is moderate to poor. It can be weakened if exposed to too much sunlight. It comes from the filaments spun by silkworms to form their cocoons. Silk has great insulation properties, and, like wool, it breathes and is comfortable next to the skin. Silk is very strong and can be spun into very fine yarn. Silk is nonresilient and can stretch. The careful cultivation and processing required for manufacture makes silk an expensive yarn. It is often blended with other fibres.

Linen (Flax)

Is one of the oldest known textile fibres, it is derived from the stem of the flax plant. Linen is sturdy and durable, and like cotton, is comfortable to wear in hot climates because it draws moisture away from the body. Is is also easily laundered and moth and perspiration resistent. But linen is also a heavy an nonresiliant fiber that can feel stiff, although it softens with repeated washing. It is usually spun into very fine yarns to compensate for its weight. Unlike cotton, linen is weaker when wet and prone to abrasion. Linen is usually blended with other fibres to offset this drawbacks.

From these facts you get the following rules to follow while working with Rowan Silkystones: